Challenges in Adoption of Technology in Agricultural Education- A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Technological interventions have brought significant advances in facilitating the research outreach over the years in learning. Based on this criteria the study “Challenges in Adoption of Technology in Agricultural Education - A Critical Analysis” was carried out to identify problems faced by the students in use of technological tools, suggestions to overcome those problems and to assess capacity needs of learners in use of technological tools,. The study was descriptive and data was collected randomly from 360 students of six Agricultural and Allied Universities by using structured and open ended questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed by using Training need index, Content analysis, Frequency and Percentage. The major problems faced by the students in use of technological tools are lack of funds (86%), advanced training (84.7%), maintenance (84.1%) and technical knowledge (83.3%) in use of technological tools. Major Suggestions to overcome those problems mentioned by students are requirement of financial support (87.5%), provision of training (86.3%), noncredit course should be mandatory (86.1%), Proper maintenance of available devices (84.7%). The results revealed that the students require training in effective use of technological tools in following training areas are preparation and use of technology based learning material (89.4%), self- evaluation of learning (89.3%) and training on advance learning applications (89.1%) which have been ranked as I, II, III positions respectively. From the study it can be deduced that, the training is necessary for students in use of technological tools which leads to changes in their learning style and also enhance the learning experience.